Istafa Ali
Naila Kiani, the trailblazing Pakistani mountaineer, made history once again on Saturday by becoming the first Pakistani woman to summit 11 peaks over 8,000 meters! Kiani reached new heights with her latest conquest of Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak at 8,485 meters, nestled in the stunning landscapes of Nepal.
Ascending the peak at around 8:50am (PST), Kiani expressed her heartfelt thanks to her fellow countrymen for their continuous prayers and support. She also extended her gratitude to Sherpa Gelgen Dai from Imagine Nepal, whose steadfast support was crucial in achieving this remarkable feat.
Kiani is no stranger to breaking records; she was previously celebrated as the first Pakistani woman to conquer all of Pakistan’s 8,000-meter peaks, and she remains the only Pakistani woman to have climbed 10 eight-thousanders.
Beyond the mountains, Kiani’s talents soar as an aerospace engineer, a devoted mother of two, and a former associate vice president at a UK-based multinational bank. Her academic journey took her to the University of London, enriching her multifaceted career.
Her monumental contributions to mountaineering and steadfast commitment to social causes have not gone unnoticed. The government of Pakistan honored her with the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the country’s third highest civilian award, recognizing her inspiring achievements and enduring spirit.
